English-language words such as hashtag, grilled-cheese, and parking are now acceptable in everyday French-language conversation in Quebec society, according to guidelines recently updated by the province91裸聊视频檚 language watchdog.

The changes were implemented in January, but the revised dictionary by the Office quebecois de la langue francaise only became widely known recently.

OQLF spokesman Jean-Pierre Le Blanc said Tuesday it91裸聊视频檚 the first time the watchdog91裸聊视频檚 guidelines have been changed since 2007.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e always reviewing words to see if they91裸聊视频檙e acceptable or not,91裸聊视频� Le Blanc said in an interview. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 sure it91裸聊视频檚 several dozen (words) that have been anglicized.91裸聊视频�

Quebec91裸聊视频檚 language office is infamous across Canada for its strict application of the province91裸聊视频檚 language laws.

Every few months a story makes headlines across the country of some language inspector fretting over English-language signage.

The OQLF caused an international stir in 2013 when an inspector warned a popular restaurant in Montreal over its use of the Italian word, 91裸聊视频減asta,91裸聊视频� on menus, as opposed to the French word, 91裸聊视频減ates.91裸聊视频�

But the OQLF, through its website, also offers Quebecers linguistic tools and other resources on how best to use the French-language.

I must confess, I wasn't aware the Qu茅b茅cois called softball "balle-molle" but now I'm rather sad they've dropped the appelation.

91裸聊视频� Evan O'Connell (@evanoconnell)

The recent changes were made by a five-member linguistics committee composed of francophones who reviewed research done by the provincial agency.

In some cases, using both the English or the French equivalent of words got the committee91裸聊视频檚 seal of approval.

For example, the English word, 91裸聊视频減arking,91裸聊视频� may now be used in French, as can its proper French-language equivalent, 91裸聊视频渟tationnement.91裸聊视频�

Under the language bureau91裸聊视频檚 policy, words are reviewed based on a long list of detailed criteria, which include their general usage in Quebec.

Le Blanc said words from other languages have also crept into daily French usage, such as cafe latte, gelato and trattoria.

Benoit Melancon, professor of French literature at Universite de Montreal, said he understands why some Quebecers might be more worried about the use of English words 91裸聊视频� known as anglicisms 91裸聊视频� than people in France.

91裸聊视频淭he French are more comfortable using anglicisms because their language isn91裸聊视频檛 threatened in any way,91裸聊视频� he said in an interview. 91裸聊视频淏ut here, because of demographic reasons, we feel more threatened.

91裸聊视频淲e91裸聊视频檙e surrounded by anglophones so it91裸聊视频檚 normal to think that we should protect French more than in other places from words coming from different places.91裸聊视频�

He noted that in France, they use the word 91裸聊视频渇ooting91裸聊视频� instead of jogging.

91裸聊视频淔ooting doesn91裸聊视频檛 exist in English, but it91裸聊视频檚 used as an English word,91裸聊视频� Melancon said.

Melancon gave the provincial language agency top marks for having a 91裸聊视频渞ealistic91裸聊视频� policy which also encourages the use of French words.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 not worth going to war over 91裸聊视频済rilled-cheese91裸聊视频� because it91裸聊视频檚 common usage,91裸聊视频� he added.

Some examples of English and French words that are both considered acceptable:

Cocktail or Coquetel

Parking or Stationnement

Grilled-cheese or Sandwich au fromage fondant

Hashtag or Mot-clic

Source: Le grand dictionnaire terminologique

Peter Rakobowchuk, The Canadian Press